Easy Bread Machine Bagels

Begin by placing water, flour, sugar, salt, and yeast into a bread machine in the specified order. Run the 'Dough' cycle on your machine, which should take approximately 90 minutes to complete.

Next, remove the dough from the machine and transfer it to a lightly dusted surface. Allow the dough to relax for 10-15 minutes, giving it time to become more pliable.

Now, divide the dough into nine equal portions. Shape each portion into a small ball and flatten it slightly into a circular shape. Use your thumb to create a hole in the center of each circle, then twist it gently to expand the hole and distribute the dough evenly around it. Place the circles back onto the floured surface, cover them with a clean cloth, and let them rest for another 10 minutes.

While the dough is resting, prepare a large pot by bringing 3 quarts of water to a boil. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and line an ungreased baking sheet with cornmeal.

Now, add 3 tablespoons of sugar to the boiling water and carefully transfer two bagels at a time to the pot. Boil them for 1 minute, turning them halfway through the process. Remove them briefly from the water on a clean towel and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.

Finally, brush the bagels with an egg white and sprinkle them with poppy seeds. Place all of the boiled and topped bagels in the oven, where they will bake until golden brown. This should take around 20-25 minutes to complete.